We advise employers to assess their manpower needs carefully and make a considered decision whether they need their Malaysian workers to remain in Singapore before the Malaysian lockdown takes effect on 18 March 2020. If they do need the workers, employers can encourage them to stay in Singapore and may wish to refer to MOM’s 17 March 2020 press release for the range of options to accommodate these workers.
For workers who do not stay in Singapore and cannot commute here for work on or after 18 March 2020, employers can place them on no-pay leave. Alternative leave arrangements will be by mutual consent.
Singaporeans and residents are still advised to defer all travel abroad.
However, essential business and official travel will be permitted under Green / Fast Lane arrangement, which as of 15 June 2020, comprises the Singapore-China Fast Lane.
Since 21 March 2020, all incoming travellers, including Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass Holders (work pass, student’s pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, Dependant’s Pass) have been required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Besides the SHN, MOH will now put in place a testing regime for all incoming travellers before the end of their SHN. The testing regime will apply to all travellers entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hrs.
All travellers entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hrs and who had remained in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam in the last 14 days prior to their entry will no longer have to serve their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities. All other travellers entering Singapore will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, for now.
MOH has advised travellers to defer all travel all travel abroad until further notice.
Employers should note that all travellers entering Singapore will be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities, except for those who had remained in in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam in the last 14 days prior to their entry.
Employers should also note the actions that must be taken to bring pass holders from overseas into Singapore. Please refer to FAQs on entry approvals for foreign employees for more information.
Employees will be required to remain in their place of residence / dedicated SHN facility at all times for a 14-day period, under the SHN measures.
Employers should evaluate the risks and make a considered decision on whether to proceed with work-related travel plans. Alternatives, such as video conferencing or postponing the trip, should be considered. Employers should also refer to the MOH guidelines on MOH’s website on the measures that travellers should adopt when overseas.
For employees whose work is performed overseas, employers should ensure that employees are adequately protected or monitored in accordance to MOH's guidelines.
In the event that the employee rejects the work trip due to public health concerns, employers should not penalise employees who reject the work trip due to safety and health concerns.
From 4 Mar 2020, 2359 hrs, employees should note that those entering Singapore and exhibiting fever and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness are required to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the checkpoint. They may carry on with their journey immediately after undergoing the test. However, pending the results, which may take between three and six hours, employers should advise employees to minimise contact with others as a precautionary measure. Individuals will be contacted on their swab test results and those with positive results will be conveyed to the hospital in a dedicated ambulance.
From 20 Mar 2020, 2359 hrs, returning employees from all countries will be placed on SHN. Returning employees should note that they will have to provide proof of the place where they will serve the 14-day SHN, for example a hotel booking covering the entire period, or a place of residence they or their family members own.
Employees should also be reminded that from 27 Mar 2020, 0900 hrs, all travellers arriving in Singapore, including residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents), and Long-Term Pass Holders (student’s pass, dependant’s pass, work pass, long-term visit pass holders) must submit a health declaration before proceeding with immigration clearance. They will have to do so via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service. The health declaration will be made available before 27 March 2020 as part of the SGAC e-service, so that travellers who are due to arrive in Singapore after 27 March, 0900 hours, can complete it in advance of their arrival.
Upon the submission of their health declaration, travellers will be notified electronically via email on the need to comply with the 14-day SHN on arrival in Singapore. This allows travellers to be notified of their SHN requirements earlier, instead of only during the immigration clearance in Singapore. At the same time, they will be made aware of the penalties under Section 21A of the IDA if they fail to comply with the requirements.
For pass holders who transited at or travelled from UK or US and arrive in Singapore from 25 March 2020, 2359 hrs, they are required to serve their 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at designated facilities. They cannot serve the SHN at their own homes. Once they arrive, they will be informed of the location and sent directly to the facility. The cost for the facility will be absorbed by the Government.
Employees should also note that any Singapore resident or Long Term Pass holder who leaves Singapore from 27 March 2020, in disregard of the prevailing travel advisories, will be charged at unsubsidised rates for their inpatient stay at public hospitals, if they are admitted for suspected COVID-19 and have onset of symptoms within 14 days of returning to Singapore. Singapore residents will also not be able to claim from MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans for these treatments at public and private hospitals.